By R.L. Bynum
UNC freshman guard Liza Astakhova has entered the transfer portal, according to a Tuesday report from On3’s Talia Goodman.
She played only 12 games and 57 minutes during her only season at Carolina, scoring 25 points and pulling down 12 rebounds, with a high of 6 points against N.C. Central on Nov. 3.
With the glut of guards, including three who are coming in through the transfer portal, and four others returning, her prospects for more playing time next season didn’t look promising. Her departure gives Coach Courtney Banghart another roster spot to fill. Before Astakova’s decision, UNC was at the 15-player limit.
Astakova came to UNC after appearing in 39 games for Russia-PBL in the Moscow Basketball Association during the previous season, averaging 4.7 points and 19 minutes per game.
She didn’t arrive in Chapel Hill until the first day of classes on Aug. 18 even though she committed to UNC on June 17, having to deal with many hurdles along the way, including obtaining her student visa.
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Projected roster if all players with eligibility other than Elina Aarnisalo, Lanie Grant, Taliyah Henderson and Liza Ashtakhova return, with years listed for next season (UNC is one below the 15-player limit)
| Year | No./ Stars | Players | Pos. | Height | |
| Freshman | 5 star | Kate Harpring | PG | 5–10 | |
| Freshman | 4 star | Noelle Bofia | F | 6–4 | |
| Sophomore | Gabby White — W | G | 5–10 | ||
| Sophomore | 7 | Nyla Brooks | W | 6–1 | |
| Sophomore | 26 | Taissa Queiroz | G | 6–1 | |
| Junior | 34 | Blanca Thomas | C | 6–5 | |
| Junior | 1 | Jordan Zubich | G | 5–11 | |
| RS junior | 21 | Ciera Toomey | F | 6–4 | |
| RS junior | 4 | Laila Hull | W | 6–1 | |
| Senior | Sophie Burrows — X | G | 6–2 | ||
| Senior | 11 | Achol Akot — Y | F | 6–1 | |
| Senior | 10 | Reniya Kelly | G | 5–7 | |
| Senior | 15 | Sydney Barker | G | 5–6 | |
| Graduate | 13 | Chloe Clardy — Z | G | 5–9 |
W — Virginia transfer; X — Syracuse transfer; Y — Oklahoma State transfer; X — Stanford transfer
Entered transfer portal
| Player | Class next season | Pos. | Hgt | Next school |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elina Aarnisalo | Junior | G | 5–10 | UCLA |
| Lanie Grant | Junior | G | 5–9 | TCU |
| Taliyah Henderson | Sophomore | W | 6–1 | |
| Liza Astakhova | Sophomore | G | 6–2 |
Photo courtesy of UNC Athletics Communications
